Donegal cruise to victory – Ulster SFC

Donegal came good in the second half to get their Ulster SFC off to a competent start against Antrim in Ballybofey on Sunday afternoon.

There was a 20-minute delay as a consequence of the minor fixture between the same two counties going to extra-time and Donegal, for a little while, looked off their top levels.

But, in the end, they didn’t even need to find their highest gears against Antrim, who started reasonably well before falling away badly.

Jamie Brennan, Paddy McGrath, and Patrick McBrearty were the goalscorers for the team managed by Rory Gallagher, who now face either Derry or Tyrone in a bid to qualify for a seventh Ulster final on the spin.

Brennan’s goal was crucial and it was hard luck on Antrim, who trailed by just a point at 0-7 to 0-6 on 32 minutes.

Matthew Fitzpatrick passed up on a great chance when he dragged his shot wide of Mark Anthony McGinley, a miss similar to that of CJ McGourty in a similar position some 12 minutes beforehand.

Donegal, though, weren’t so wasteful and with their first incisive move of the contest, set up Brennan to drive into Chris Kerr’s bottom corner for the opening goal. Michael Murphy and Michael Carroll both did some of the spadework beforehand.

Antrim, until then, were competing with McGourty and Tomas McCann in particular asking questions of Donegal, who were best served by Ciaran Thompson – who popped over four times in the first half.

Donegal went in 1-8 to 0-6 in front at the break and if it was a margin that might’ve flattered them somewhat having played against the wind, they were full value for their 16-point win in the end.

The strength of their panel was evident with Eoin McHugh, Karl Lacey, McBrearty, Martin McElhinney, Mark McHugh and Michael Lagan all appearing from the bench.

Murphy kept things ticking over in the third quarter and the captain would finish with five points in all, including one excellent effort from distance from play.

McGrath was the unlikeliest of goalscorers with just eight minutes to go. The corner-back, who debuted for Donegal in 2010, had only ever scored two points for his county before today.

But he managed to sidestep Kerr and stab home from close range with Jason McGee, McElhinney and Ryan McHugh all involved in the lead-up. That made the score 2-14 to 0-7.

McBrearty, in the second minute of injury time, added a third Donegal goal when he smashed past Kerry after an assist from McElhinney.

Antrim, who’d scored just three points from the 26th minute till the bitter end, did at last manage a consolation goal when Conor Small shot into McGinley’s top corner with the last kick of the game.

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About Ulster GAA

The Ulster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, and handball in the province of Ulster. The headquarters of the Ulster GAA is based in Armagh City.